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Dolphins OL Richie Incognito's racial slur indefensible

This is a black thing. And it should be rather easy for any American to understand. Regardless of the spin coming from Miami Dolphins players, there is no excusing suspended guard Richie Incognito's use of the

Regardless of the spin coming from Miami Dolphins players, there is no excusing suspended guard Richie Incognito's use of the N-word during his threatening voicemail to a linemate, Jonathan Martin, as anything other than crude and race-hateful.

He's portrayed himself with his actions -- the defining characteristic illuminated on the voicemail begins with his bullying of a younger teammate.

Race is one of the threads in this sad adventure, but the prevailing issue is to what extent that Incognito's bullying -- perhaps encouraged by coaches -- contributed to a fed-up Martin walking out on the team.

For the Dolphins players to spew concern that Incognito is viewed as a racist is just one more bizarre element to the saga. It also seems ridiculous that Dolphins players have turned on Martin to the degree that they blasted him on Wednesday.

"That just shows you how weak the leadership is in that locker room," Hall of Famer Warren Sapp told USA TODAY Sports. "They have to band together now because they wouldn't stand up to Richie when he was there."

As teammates surely, but especially as African-American men, Wallace, Grimes, Pouncey, Egnew should be appalled that Incognito felt at liberty to use racial slurs while threatening Martin.

Some of your ancestors were lynched, denied education, stripped of opportunities … with that ugly word used as a calling card.

"It comes from a perspective of ignorance," Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow told USA TODAY Sports. "They lack an understanding of history, of how they got the chance to get to where they are. Whether it's an African-American or any other person using that word, it's not a good thing."

VIDEO: What will fallout be from bullying case?

USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell breaks down what could happen next as a result of the bullying case involving Miami players Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin?
USA TODAY Sports

Winslow wonders if the sheltered lifestyle of NFL players -- many of whom had college experiences vastly different than the bulk of the student body -- is a reason for the disconnect. Maybe it's a generational thing, decades removed from the Civil Rights era. No matter. This is still a society where in many situations -- although not as overt as in the past -- a person can be judged in the blink of an eye based on their color or ethnicity.

"Hopefully, as they get older and experience more of life," Winslow said, "they'll gain a better understanding."

A former Dolphins player quoted by The Herald contended that within the team's locker room, Incognito is considered an "honorary" black man -- which presumably allows him to live in a world with white privilege and use disparaging racial epithets as he sees fit.

"Honorary brother, my ass," said Sapp. "Yeah, and an 'honorary white guy' (who is black) walking around in some places in Mississippi still has to be gone by sundown."

Sapp said that Incognito, then with the St. Louis Rams, called him the N-word during a game. He was offended, but saw it as a psychological ploy in the trenches.

"I said, 'Cuz, you want me to slap the (expletive) out of you and get thrown out of the game. But I'm going to assault your quarterback and they're going to cut your (expletive),' " Sapp recalled. "That's just how he plays. He's a piece of (expletive)."

Sapp needled me during our conversation, contending that with me being older and from Detroit -- growing up a few blocks from where Berry Gordy founded Motown -- that I'm more sensitive to the use of the slur.

Sapp, from Florida, says the word was used as a term of endearment among the people he grew up with.

Yet we both agree that in the context the word was used in the Incognito-Martin case, it was undeniably mean-spirited.

I think the Mike Wallaces of the world should ask themselves why racial slurs that disparage whites, Hispanics, Asians or Jews are not acceptable for use to the extent in this society that the N-word is used?

Part of the issue is that too many African-Americans themselves use the word. That still doesn't make it right.

Then there's this view. Martin, a Stanford grad whose parents are Harvard-educated lawyers, is viewed as not black enough.

Just sickening. I thought we were past that a long time ago.

"Remember when people said The Cosby Show didn't reflect reality?" Winslow said of the iconic, 80s-era series. "It was like you couldn't have two black professional parents and kids who spoke the King's English, having intelligent conversations."

I know. This Dolphins mess is saturated with so many teaching moments.